Valve Manifolds for Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for chromatographic separations comprising: a manifold comprising a manifold body defining an elongate central duct, the central duct comprising a centrally-located closable duct valve providing selective fluid communicationGo between a first portion of the central duct and an opposed second portion of the central duct, a first plurality of connectors, each connector of the first plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and / or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; a second plurality of connectors, each connector of the second plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and / or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; wherein said manifold body further defines: a first plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the first portion of the central duct to an individual one of the first plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the first plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the first portion of the central duct, a second plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the second portion of the central duct to an individual one of the second plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the second plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the second portion of the central duct; first and second ports in fluid communication with the centrally-located closable duct valve wherein said first port communicates with said first portion of the central duct and said second port communicates with said second portion of said central duct, wherein one of said first and second ports is further positioned to communicate with said central duct at a location between the centrally-located closable duct valve and the first and second plurality of branch ducts, respectively.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a device for chromatographic separations. In particular, the invention relates to a modular chromatography system for single or multiple columns that is suitable for purification of biopharmaceutical products.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Chromatography is one of the most important methods for the purification of biotechnological and biopharmaceutical products. This can be based on ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, size exclusion (or gel filtration) chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography or reversed phase chromatography among others.[0003]Traditionally, chromatographic purifications have been carried out in batch mode. This involves one single column that is subsequently loaded, washed, eluted, etc. For treating large volumes or purifying large amounts of product, either very large columns are needed or repeated injections are required. This yields a relatively inefficient mode of ope...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a valve device that can be flexible with the number of connections made and limits contamination by using a specific structure. The system is suitable for traditional single-column chromatography processes. The invention also provides a device where the branch ducts are arranged in transversely-aligned pairs which extend out to each side of the manifold body, forming a single through-duct connected to the central duct by a single branch duct having an access valve therein to control flow from the through-duct to the central duct and selectable fluid communication between the opposed connector ports of each through-duct with the central duct. The provision of the branch valve in addition to the access valve further minimizes dead-space in an array of connected manifolds. A manifold may also provide a series of central duct valves positioned between successive branch ducts.

Problems solved by technology

This yields a relatively inefficient mode of operation with a low specific productivity.

Such chromatography processes require large amounts of Adsorbent and large amounts of buffers.

Existing multicolumn chromatography systems involve complex valve arrangements in order to ensure proper distribution of all flows to all columns For biotechnology this is undesirable because of the cleaning issues involved.

In this respect, equipment with complex internal geometries is very difficult to clean.

However, the serial connection nature of the Bisschops manifold design necessitates potentially long stretches of conduit for collecting holdup volumes of potentially valuable material fluid.

In SMB, however the columns and bed heights are very short, therefore, the required tubing length gives unfavorable extra holdup volume.

The art therefore lacks a manifold design for SMB applications which reduces potential hold-up volume.

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